What is the ruling on someone who says to his wife about their son, "If he makes a mistake, no one else will bear it," intending to divorce her if that happens, and what is the ruling on someone who utters a metaphorical divorce pronouncement intending to effect it, then changes his intention before completing the pronouncement?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
A man's statement to his wife, "If he commits a mistake, no one else will bear it," does not constitute divorce nor does it indicate it, even if the speaker intended it, because it is a phrase that does not imply divorce. As for changing the intention of divorce in ambiguous (kinayah) expressions, divorce does not occur by it. One should avoid delving deeply and overcomplicating questions, as it is blameworthy in Islamic law and may lead to obsessive thoughts.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- 131693
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